Students of Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha, Anambra State, on Thursday, September 14, staged a peaceful demonstration over the ravaging flood disaster in the institution.
The protesters lamented that both academic and non-academic activities had been paralyzed as a result of the deluge.
Addressing reporters ahead of the protest, the president of the Student Union Government of the institution, Chigozie Onyenyili, said students had since been subjected to sleepless nights as hostels have been overrun with their property destroyed by the flood
He said the situation was worsened by the destruction of existing drainage by contractors working in the institution.
He said: “Flooding has been an issue in the institution, but it was worsened because the government recently commenced a flood control process by removing existing drainage inside the school, without providing alternative measures to mitigate the flood.
“They commenced flood control during the rainy season, but now, they have abandoned the work and as we speak, the whole institution is flooded.
“We are embarking on this peaceful demonstration to draw government attention to our plight. The school has done its best, but we need the government to return to the work they abandoned.
“The two machines the government brought for the job are not working and there is a need for them to bring in more personnel to commence the work so that normalcy will resume at the institution.”
Another student, who preferred anonymity said, “The flood damaged our laptops, mobile phones, learning equipment, beds, and also carried our pots of soups.
The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Owoh Ugochukwu, confirmed the incident, blaming it on the government’s negligence.
He said, “State government channeled waters that come from Obosi, Nkpor, and Onitsha-Owerri Road and environs, down to the school, without providing adequate measures for enough drainage.
“The flood issue has lingered for some years now, and the school authorities have been doing their best, but currently work has been abandoned and there are no alternative measures in place.”
